Improvement in folding bedsteads



v :nmmBBEY. 1 FOLDING BEDS'IEAD.

No. l74,z57. Patented Feb. 29; 1876.

UNITED STATES PATENT Orrron FRANK M. KIBBEY, OF MAY-FIELD, KENTUCKY.

IMPROVEMENT IN FOLDING BEDSTEADS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 174,257, dated February 29, 1876; application filed December 4, 1875.

To all whom tt may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK M. KIBBEY, of Mayfield, Graves county, Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Folding Bedstead, of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to a construction of crib or bedstead capable of being greatly reduced in height and other dimensions so as to occupy, when not in use, the least possible space, and to be even capable of being placed underneath" an ordinary bedstead, and when required for use to be capable of being elevated and otherwise fitted for convenient occupation.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 ,is a perspective view of my bedstead when completely elevated and opened for reception of the bedding. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the bedstead in a partially-closed condition.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the bedstead in its most compact condition. Figs. 4 and 5 represent the preferred form of hinges and catches employed with the bedstead.

A B U 0 D D E E may represent a rectangular frame, mounted upon casters d d e e. The head G H G and foot E K E are respectively secured to the frame by means of peculiarly-formed hinges F and F. The said head and foot have secured to their lower ends, by means of hingesgg jj, extensionlegs, I IL L, having casters, M" l l. Hinged to the side rails O 0 at 00 are flaps M M, which may be maintained in their elevated position by means of hooks N and staplesn, or by other suitable retaining device. of a short leaf, P, and a long leaf, P, of which leaf P is secured to the member D or E of the frame, while leaf P is attached to the post G or J. (See diagram Y.) The long leaf P projects some distance below the junction of post G with extension leg I, in order that said leaf may co-operate in conjunction with suitable locking devicesto maintain the extension-leg securely in either its opened or closed position.

The locking devices consist of a latch, R, pivoted in a suitable excavation in the leg I,

thefihooked end of said latch being capable of engaging with either of the perforations p or p of the leaf P. Secured to the lower end of side rail 0 is a spring-catch, S, adapted to engage with a staple, T, of leg I, so as to maintain the latter in an erect position. The above-described arrangement of hinge and pact condition.

The hinges F F are each composed latch and spring-catch is applied to each part D, D, E, and E of the frame of the bedstead.

When the bedstead is completely elevated and arranged for receiving the bedding, the legs I I and L L are coupled rigidly to the posts G G and J J, respectively, by engaging the latch R of each with the perforation p of leaf P. These united legs and posts are then coupled to the'frame of the bed by springing the catches S over the staples T, so as to maintain the posts and legs in the erect position. The flaps MM are then erected and made fast by inserting the hooks N in the staples n. In this condition of the bedstead, the entire weight is sustained by the casterst't" and ll of the four extension-legs.

(See Fig. 1.)

To lower the bed and reduce it to its most compact dimensions, the hooks N are first disengaged and the flaps M M dropped. The catches S are then disengaged from the staples T, which act leaves the head and foot free to be folded down over the bedstead, so

as to sink the latter and to cause it to rest upon the trundle-casters d d e 6.

Finally, the extension legs are unlatched and secured'in the folded position by the engagement of the latches 1% in apertures p, thus reducing the bedstead to its most com- (See Fig. 3.)

While describing my preferred form of hinges and locking devices, I reserve the right to vary the same in non-essential particulars, as, for example, by the employment of cupboard-catches instead of the hooks and other retaining devices above described.

I claim as new and of my invention 1. In combination with the legs I I L L and posts G G J J the catches S and staples T, for docking said legs and posts to the frame, substantially as described.

2. The combination with the hinged head G G H, hinged foot J J K, and extensions I l L L, of hinge F P P p p and pivoted latch R, for maintaining the extensions in either position, as herein explained.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

FRANK M. KIBBEY.

Witnesses:

GEO. P. KNIGHT, JAMES H. LAYMAN- 

